Safety first when taking care of your lawn

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark Hellwig
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Safety office
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Warm weather, sunny skies and plenty of spring rains come to McConnell. It's that time of year again, time to break out and use those dusty lawn mowers, trimmers and edgers. Before getting started on yard work, take a few minutes to remind yourself of the dangers that could be present.

Ensure all equipment is in good working order and all blade guards are in place. Wear eye and body protection. Safety glasses, long sleeves and pants, gloves and ear protection can prevent can injuries from happening. Remove items from the yard that shouldn't be there such as toys, pet chains and small children. Remember, keeps tools and hazardous chemicals away from children, this includes gasoline, oil and insecticides.

Handling gasoline is another safety aspect that should be taken seriously, not only in the spring, but year-round. Use only approved containers marked for gasoline, never store gasoline in glass jars, soda bottles or milk jugs. Gasoline should not be used to clean skin, clothes or auto parts. The chances of an accident happening are just too high. Make sure the engine is off and cooled before refueling or touching the engine. Don't smoke or have ignition sources around or refuel in windy conditions

As most families deal with their busy schedules, they may try to rush home to get the yard work done. Often our children try to help with this potentially dangerous task. Ensure they are aware of the correct starting and stopping procedures for each machine. They should be familiar with their surroundings and are aware of traffic patterns. First aid kits should accessible for all members of the family at all times.
Never stick hands or feet near blades or spinning objects while equipment is on and don't mow over loose rock. Riding mowers should be used on even, flat terrain, not on deep slopes or ditches due to the possibility of roll overs. Keep in mind the location of extension cords when using electrical equipment, running over a cord or hitting it with a trimmer can cause sparks. Finally, never leave running equipment unattended, always ensure you shut off the engine and use any locking equipment before stepping away from the machine.

If all members of the family take time and use a little common sense, we can keep everyone safe and out of danger.